Don’t you just love this time of year? From spending family time indoors to enjoying festive drinks and treats, I love everything about this time of year – including recipes!

Today I’m sharing a few recipes that use my favorite holiday flavor: peppermint. You can never have enough peppermint this season and I’ve got a little something for everyone – a fun spin on the classic hot chocolate, a bowl of sweet minty popcorn for winter movie watching and the perfect peppermint cookie for Santa.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Whipped Cream{Serves 6}

Ingredients:

1 12oz bag white chocolate chips

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

4 cups 2% milk (or soy or almond milk)

Peppermint candy canes (optional)

Directions:

Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler.

Add heavy cream to melted chocolate & mix well until heated

Add peppermint extract; mix well.

Add milk, one cup at a time, whisking frequently until mixture is hot.

Pour a couple cups of water and ice cubes into stand mixer. Allow bowl to chill for a few minutes.

Dump out water and dry mixer.

Place all ingredients into mixer and mix on low for 15 seconds. Turn mixer to medium high and whisk to stiff peaks. (About 2 minutes)

Note: It’s best to use right away, but it will keep for about a day if kept very cold.

Peppermint Popcorn

Ingredients:

2 bags of microwave popcorn {use butter popcorn for extra richness}

20 oz vanilla almond bark chocolate

18 crushed candy canes

Directions:

Pop bags of popcorn and pour in a bowl

Follow directions on package to melt chocolate

Pour melted chocolate over popcorn and mix well

Pour popcorn on parchment paper

Sprinkled crushed candy canes over popcorn while still hot

Let popcorn cool then break apart and enjoy

Note: For extra yumminess drizzles melted milk or dark chocolate over the top of popcorn.

Soft Sugar Cookies with Peppermint Frosting

Ingredients:

1 cup margarine or butter, at room temp

1 3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs, at room temp

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup sour cream

1/4 tsp lemon or almond extract

5 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Frosting Ingredients:

2 sticks (1 Cup) Salted Butter, Softened

5 cups Powdered Sugar, Sifted

40 whole Peppermint Candies, Crushed Very Fine

3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream, More If Needed (use 3-5)

Directions:

In a large bowl mix together margarine and sugar. Beat until creamy. Add in eggs, vanilla, lemon extract and sour cream and mix together until combined.

In a separate bowl mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined.

Split dough in two and place in saran wrap. Refrigerate dough for 1-2 hours.

Once dough has been chilled roll out dough on a bakers mat or parchment paper. Add another 1/4 – 1/2 cup flour if dough is still sticky. Cut with floured cookie cutter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes.

To make the frosting, beat the butter to get it started, then add in the powdered sugar. Beat on low while adding the cream. When it comes together, add the crushed peppermints, reserving some for garnish. Beat the frosting for a good 30 seconds on high until it’s light and fluffy, longer if needed.

Try one of these recipes at an upcoming holiday party or enjoy them at home with your family. Happy Holidays!